The Impact of Football on the Global Entertainment Industry and Its Trends
Football is more than just a game; it is a global phenomenon. The sport boasts over 6 billion fans worldwide, making it the most popular sport.
Valencia’s Sporting Director, Miguel Ángel Corona, has expressed his excitement over the club’s acquisition of Nigerian striker Sadiq Umar on loan from Real Sociedad.
The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) officially announced the schedule for the 2024/2025 Premiership season during its Annual General Assembly (AGA) held on December 17, 2024.
Undisputed heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk has predicted that Anthony Joshua could defeat Tyson Fury on points if the two British heavyweights ever face off in the ring.
The Ukrainian champion, who recently defended his titles with a unanimous decision victory over Fury, made the surprising prediction while highlighting the challenges the “Gypsy King” presented in their two encounters.
“Maybe Anthony Joshua. Maybe on points,” Usyk said when asked about the potential matchup between his former opponents during an interview with Boxing King Media.
Usyk has faced both men in recent years, defeating Joshua in 2021 to claim the unified heavyweight titles and then successfully defending them in a 2022 rematch.
Earlier this year, the 34-year-old added the undisputed heavyweight crown after a hard-fought victory over Fury and retained his status in their rematch last weekend.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has made it clear that two major fights are on the horizon for the former two-time world champion: a clash with Fury and a rematch with IBF champion Daniel Dubois, who stunned Joshua with a knockout win in September.
With Dubois scheduled to defend his IBF title against Joseph Parker on February 22, the path seems to be clearing for the long-awaited Fury vs Joshua showdown, although it is no longer likely to crown an undisputed champion.
Despite Joshua’s recent setbacks, Usyk has continued to show respect for his fellow heavyweight.
The Ukrainian recently included Joshua in his list of top five boxers, alongside pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez, highlighting his belief in Joshua’s skill and potential.
Anthony Joshua, however, is still reeling from his devastating loss to Dubois at Wembley Stadium. Hearn confirmed that the British-Nigerian fighter is “hurting” from the defeat.
“Yeah, he is hurting. He took a pasting at times in that fight and I think he has got his back up and wants to come back stronger,” Hearn told talkSPORT.
While the Fury vs Joshua clash is no longer considered a fight for the undisputed title, it remains one of the most highly anticipated matchups in boxing.
Fans around the world are eager to see if Joshua can overcome his recent setbacks and prove Usyk’s prediction right.
Four players from Nigeria’s Super Falcons were honored with a place in the CAF FIFPro Best XI for 2024, a prestigious recognition at the CAF Awards held on Monday night in Marrakech, Morocco.
FIFA confirmed on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, while the 2030 tournament will be co-hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, with three opening matches held in South America.
The CHAN Eagles’ interim coach is set to release the final squad list for the team ahead of their 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Ghana.
Former Edo Queens coach, Stanley Osaze, has revealed that the team’s loss of concentration in the final moments of their semi-final match against TP Mazembe Women ultimately cost them a spot in the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League.
In an exclusive interview with Brila.net after the team’s defeat, Osaze highlighted the key factors that led to their loss, noting that the fighting spirit and intensity displayed during their last group match against Sundowns Women was missing in the semi-final.
He explained the team’s inability to maintain focus throughout the match played a significant role in their downfall.
“Sometimes in football you can give your all and you play well and in the long run, never say never, that’s what we call it, it can just happen,” Osaze stated.
“I think the guests lost concentration towards the diamond and that was their strong point in their last game before this game.”
“I was expecting something that had happened in the last game where the spirit was up.”
Osaze also pointed out a tactical change by the head coach, where a defender was brought into command.
Edo Queens were defeated 3-1 by DR Congo’s TP Mazembe
While this strategy was intended to strengthen the team’s defense, Osaze felt it ultimately did not work in their favor.
“You never had that attitude in the last game before the semi-finals and so that was what I think.”
“However, there was a tactical change from our head coach where a defender was brought into command so they fought back. I think that one didn’t work for us.”
Osaze, regardless explained the harsh realities of football, stating it’s a game full of unpredictability and human error.
He complimented and advised the team to hold their heads high for their accomplishments.
“It was a major issue but sometimes in football you do one plus one, you get nine. Sometimes you get zero, sometimes you get one. It’s also a natural game, they are humans.”
“You cannot look at human errors and so it’s part of the game. So I think the loss, my agenda was that they lost concentration towards the end of the game. That’s my take.”
Nigerian defender Victor Collins has expressed confidence in his future with the Super Eagles despite not making his national team debut during the last international window.
Former Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju, popularly known as “Headmaster,” has called for full support for Austin Eguavoen and his technical crew.
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